Engine starter



M. B. JACKSON ET AL 1,

\ ENGINE STARTER Filed Oct. 15, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jam KM 671767537 33- M. B. JACKSON El AL 1,920,793

ENGINE STARTER Filed Oct. 15, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zwen/om 276 Lcfisan Ujarfianz 1933- M. B. JACKSON ET AL ,9

ENGINE STARTER Filed Oct. 15, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 .Lclson 677 658777 1933- M. B. JACKSON EI'AL ENGINE STARTER Filed Oct. 15, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 jnven/ors M3 .IQJson aa ifi.

ENGINE STARTER Maunseii B. .i'ackson and Kenneth M. Clipsham, Toronto, Ontario; Canada, assignors to Leaside Engineering Co. Canada Limited, Leaside, Ontario,

-Applieation October 15, 1929. Serial No. 399,845

39 Ciaims.

This invention relates to starters for internal combustion engines and more particularly to the type inwhich a starter pinion is moved manually into meshing engagement with an engine gear and is automatically demeshed when the engine is started. Heretofore in starters of this type pinion has been moved axially and then if necessary, moved rotarily in one direction to mesh the pinion with the engine gear. Should the teeth of the pinion meet corner to corner with those of the gear,-or be otherwise obstructed to prevent the turning of'the pinion, a jam will result which might require several operations of the starter mechanism to effect the meshing of the pinion.

The object of this invention is to provide a starter whichwill overcome the above mentioned armature shaft of the starter motor has a disengageable driving connection with a starter pinion which is threaded on the shaft. A manually operable member has a pin and a spring finger for frictional engagement with an inclined lug on the slidable and rotatable member or sleeve whereby the latter will be actuated to move the pinion axiallyand, if ecessary, rotarily to mesh it with the engine gear. If the pinion fails to mesh during this rotary movement, the manually operable member will continue its movement to engage the pin with other provisions for turning the sleeve in a direction of rotation opposite to the first mentioned rotary movement thereof so that the pinion may be turned first in one direction'of rotation and then in the opposite direction. This second rotary movement of the pinion is especially adapted to release a corner jam between the pinion and the gear teeth which might occur during 5 the first movement of the pinion. When the pinion is meshed with the gear the starter motor is energized to drive the engine and to cause the sleeve to turn to engage a cam face thereon with the pin. This engagement causes the sleeve to be threaded back to its initial position. The sleeve is provided with an opening to receive the piniif the engine gear be moving in a backward direction when the pinion is moved into contact therewith.

During the return movement of the sleeve an the starter anti-bounce device movable therewith is moved relative thereto towards the pinion to absorb its momentum when it is de-meshed from the gear.

The constructions are hereinafter more fully described and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is aside elevation of our starter showing the parts thereof in their normal or inoperative positions Fig. 2 a development of part of the surface of the outer member of the starter, showing particularly the cam faces for engagement by a manually operable member;

Fig. 3 a longitudinal section of the parts disposed on the shaft in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a cross section. showing the pin and spring finger on the manually operable member in engagement with the lug'on the outer sleeve, and also showing the drag connection between the anti-bounce device and the shaft; V

Fig. 5 a longitudinal section, partly in elevation, showing the pinion clutched to the outer sleeve and in contact with the gear teeth, and also the manually operable pin and finger in frictional engagement with the lugon the outer pinion still in contactwith the gear teeth and the manually operable pin in engagement with the cam face for reversing the rotary movement of the outer sleeve; 1

Fig. '7 a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the pinion slightly in mesh with the gear and the manually operable member still clear of the motor switch;

Fig. 8 a View similar to Fig. ,7 showing the rotatable member returned to its normal position and the anti-bounce device positioned for engagement by the pinion when it is de-meshed; I

Fig. 9 a view showing the positionsv of the parts should the pinion be presented to the gear while the latter is moving;

Fig. 10 a view similar to Fig.6 showing the positions of the parts if the starter fails to mesh the pinion;

Fig. 11 a detail showing the outer sleeve being turned by the shaft to prevent the engagement of the pin and finger with the lug when the shaft is rotating;

Fig. 12 a side elevation partly insection of a Fig. 1 1 a side elevation of a further modified form of starter;

, Fig. 15 a development of the outer sleeve shown in Fig. 14; I

Fig. 16 a longitudinal section of another modification; and

Fig. l'l a development of the intermediate and outer sleeves shown in Fig. 16.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 11, 1 is a motor provided with an armature shaft 2 on which is mounted a sleeve 3. A C-shaped spring 4 encircling slightly more than half of the sleeve is provided with a pin 5 which passes through a hole in the sleeve to contact with theshaft so that the latter, when rotating, will tend to rotate the sleeve'for purposes which will hereinafter appear. 7

On the sleeve is disposeda clutch member 6 which is provided with clutch" teeth 7 adapted to form a disengageable drive connectionwith similarly shaped teeth 8 formed on the ends of the teeth of a pinion 9.. To increase the length of the teeth 7 and to facilitate the. stamping of the clutch member, the teeth are inclined ,to the axis of the member; The clutch teeth 8 on the pinion are similarlyinclined. The clutch member is provided with a plurality of projections 10 which are received in slots-11 formed in a'rotatable outer member or sleeve 12 so that these clutch and sleeve members 6 and 12 will have a limited axial movement relative to one another to permit the overruiming of the clutch teeth. The outer sleeve 12* is providedwith a collar 13 having a pinand inclined slot connection 14 with the inner sleeveB. 'A spring 15 engaging the collar '13Jand theclutch member 6 tends tomaintain the latter in an extended] position relative tothe outersleeve12and is of such strength and the teeth '7, Sare so-shaped that the clutch member 6 is capableof turning a the pinion 9vand the armature shaft 2 under normal conditions that is when the turning movement of the pinion is normally resisted.

1 The outer sleeve 2 is moved axially and rotarily to mesh the pinion by means of a lever 16 which is manually operable by a foot pedal or hand pull-out device .17. The lever is provided with a pin 18 adapted to engage a cam face .19 preferably formed by a slot in'the outer sleeve 12.

. The latter is provided with a lug 19 having one side fiushwith the cam face 19. A spring finger 20 carried by the lever 16 and normally positioned out of. engagementwith the lug is adapted to engage one side thereof while the pin is in en.-

- gagement with the other side of the lug, whereby the latter will be frictionally gripped between the pin and finger to. tend to move the outer sleeve 12 along with the pin and finger, see Fig. 5. This axial movement of the outer sleeve'12 will cause the clutch member 6"to be moved to engage its teeth *7, wit-l the clutch teeth 8 on the pinion so that thelatter willbe presented to thegear 21 of an engine to be started. The inner sleeve 3 is pro-- vided with a flange 3 which is engageable by the clutch member 6 for moving the inner sleeve along with the outer sleeve 12.

If the pinion teeth are in alinement with the spaces between the gear teeth when the pinion reaches the gear the continued axial movement 01' the outer sleeve 12 will move the pinion into' engagement with an abutment 22. Under normal conditions with the gear 2lat rest, theend 16 of the lever .16 is adapted to actuate aswitch 23 to energize-the motor 1 only when .the'pinion is in mesh with the gear. When the pinion is meshed without any rotary movement it will engage the abutment 22 before the lever end 16 reaches the switch 28 whereby the further movement of the lever toclose the switch causes the pin 18 and finger 20 to move out of engagement with the lug 19 before the motor is energized. This movement of the pin and finger relative to the lug causes the member 12 to be turned relative to the pinion which relative movement is .permitted by the clutch which is adapted to slip when rotation of the pinion is abnormally resisted. Immediately the shaft 2 is rotated by the motor to drive the pinion, the outer sleeve 12 is also rotated, by means of the drag connection 5, inner sleeve 3, and the pin and inclined slot connection 14, whereby the pin 18 will be engaged by a cam face 24 on the member 12 to return the latter to its initial position against a brake washer 25.

' During the return movement of the outer sleeve .12, the inner sleeve 3 1s axially moved relative thereto to position one end of it behind the adjacent end of the outer sleeve so that the inner sleeve will be engaged by the pinion when the latter is de-meshed by the gear, see Fig. 8. This relative axial movement of the inner and outer sleeves 3 and 12 is effected by the pin and inclined slot connection 14, the slot of which is formed in the sleeve 3. The pin of this connecvion is formed as a key stamped out of the collar13 which is secured to the outer sleeve 12, see Fig.3. The slot thus drives the pinion or key of the connection 14 to rotate the outer sleeve 12 to enable it to be returned as hereinbefore described and during this rotary and axial movement of the outer sleeve the inner sleeve 3 is left behind. In other words, the outer sleeve is threaded, by the pin 18 and cam face 24, away from the pinion and the pin and inclined slot connection 14 between the outer and inner sleeves permits movement of the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve. The relative axial movement of these sleeve parts is terminated by the engagement'of the C-spring i and pin 5 on the inner sleeve with the collar 13 on the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve is then moved with the outer sleeve to provide clearance for the pinion so that it will be free of the gear before it engages the inner sleeve, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

When the engine starts thepinion will be automatically 'de-meshed by its inclined spline connection 2 with'the shaft 2'and the momentum of the pinionwill be absorbed by theinner sleeve 7 3 while the pinion is shifting it to its initial position, which is also determined by the brakewasher 25, see Fig. 3. If the de-meshed pinion engaged a rigid stop the pinion might bounce back into contact with the gear with resultant bad eifects. and the inner sleeve 3 serves as an anti-bounce device to overcome this objectionable feature; Normally the flange 3 on the inner sleeve or anti-bounce member 3 positions the pinion to prevent its clutch teeth 8 from engaging the'clutch teeth 7 on the clutch member 6 so that the shaft and pinion are. free to rotate relae tive to the clutch member until the operator removes his foot'from the starter button 17.

' If the pinion teeth should collide with the gear teeth, the axial movement of the clutch member 6 will be stopped, seeFigs. 5 and 6. Therefore the continued movement of the manually operable lever 16 will cause the pin and finger to travel along the lug 19 to rotate the outer sleeve 12 and thus the pinion 9. It is obvious that the engagement of the pin 18 and spring finger 20 with the lug will ensure contact between the pinion teeth its further-turning in the and the gear teeth while the pinion is being turned and will also ensure the axial movement of the pinion into mesh with the gear immediately thev pinion teeth clear the gear teeth. If the pinion is partly meshed with the gearbut is not in engagement with the abutment 22 before the lever end 16 closes the switch 23, the threads 2 on the shaft, whenthe latter is driven by the motor 1, will feed the pinion axially thereof into engagement with the abutment.

Shouldthe above mentioned rotary movement of the pinion fail to clear its teeth from those of the gear or should a corner jam occur between the pinion teeth and the gear teeth, provisions are provided for engagement by the pin 1* to turn the pinion in a direction of rotation 01 posite to that imparted thereto the engagement of the pin with the cam face 19. This reverse turning of the pinion is caused by the engagement of the pin 18 with a cam face 28 which may be formed by a slot in the uter sleeve 12 and which is inclined to the a is thereof in a direction opposite that of the cam iace see 6. The cam face 28 is spaced from the canriace 19 but lies in the path of the pin 18 and has a steep angle of inclination to the axis of tie member whereby the force tending to move tl atter longitudinally is greaterthan the force to dine to move it rotarily. the pin 18 is in engage h the cam face 19 when the first mentioned no movement of the pinion is stopped by abnormal resistance to on of rotation the pin 13 and produced by the engagement or cani face 19, thecontinued movement of the pin 18 along the cam face 19 rotates the outer sleeve 12 relative to the pinion because t e clutch can slip. This slippage of the is cilitated by 'the'pin and inclined. slot 1% which limits the axial inoverncntof the outer sleeve 12 relative to the inner sleeve 3 and thusto the pinion 9, so that .re projections 10 on as clutch member 6 are normally spaced fro the rear oi the slots 11 in the outer sleeve 12 and are thus free to move in the said slots 11 to pro\ e clearance for I the clutch teeth 7 when they ove run the clutch pinion teeth clear the teeth, the pinion will thus be moved, by the pressure exerted by thepin against the cam face 28, into mesh with the gear, see Fig. 7. When the pinion is meshed, the end 16 the lever 16 will close the switch 23 to energize the motor 1 as hereinbefore desc bed.

Should the hereinbeiore. dESCllbBd'EXl-Etl and double rotary movements in opposite directions of the pinion 9 fail to mesh it with the gear 21, we provide means for limiting the movement of the lever 16 to prevent it from closing the switch. 23, The cam face 28 may terminate in a shoulder adapted 1 0 11111117 the movement of the pin 18 relative to the outer sleeve 12 in case the pinion is not meshed with the gear. This axial movement of the sleeve 12 relative tothe pinion is limited by the pin and slot connection. 1 1 so that if the spring 15 be compressed bythepressure of the pin18 against either the cam face 28 or shoulder 30 the said connection 1 1 will limit the movement of the lever 16 to prevent the motor 1 from being energized. In other words, the pin and slot connection 14' limits the axial movement of the outer sleeve 12 relative to the inner sleeve 3 so that the pin 18 cannot be movedia sufficient distance to enable thelever 16 to closethe switch when the axial movement'of the pinion, and thus the inner sleeve, is prevented by the gear.

If the pinion should be presented to the gear while .the'latter is rotating in its normal direction of rotation, the pinion '9 and thus the shaft 2 and outer sleeve 12 will tend to be turned by the gear 21 in their normal direction of rotation and the pin 18 will be received in the slot formingv the cam face 2 1.v

'To prevent the parts from being damaged, if the pinion be presented to the gear while it is moving in a backward direction of rotation, we provide an opening 29 which provides clearance for the pin 18. The contact between the gear and pinion teeth causes the pinion and thus the outer sleeve 12 to vibrate so that the pin 18 slides along the cam faces 19 and 28. It will be noted that the switch protection shoulder 30 is steeply inclined to the axis of the outer sleeve, the inclination being such that the above mentioned vibration of the outer sleeve will permit. the shoulder to clear the pin 18 and thus relieve fur ther pressure tending to force the pinion against the gear, see Fig. 9. One face 29 of the opening is inclined to the axis of the outer sleeve in a direction opposite that of the cam face 24 whereby the engagement of the cam face 29 with the pin 18 will tend to return the outer sleeve 12 to its initial position. Should the operator continue the movement of the lever 16 until it closes the switch 23, the shaft. 2 and outer sleeve 12 will be turned in their normal direction of rotation whereby the face 29 of the opening 29 will engage the pin 18 to return the outer sleeve to its initial position. formed by the walls of the slot or opening 29, are inclined in opposite directions, the face 29 being substantially parallel to the cam face 24 so that the engagement of either of these faces with the pin18 will return the outer sleeve 12 when it is rotated in its normal directionof rotation.

The mode of operation is as follows. Assuming the shaft 2 and engine gear 21 are at rest when the operator actuates the lever 16, the pin 18 and spring finger 20 will be moved to embrace the lug 19 whereby the outer sleeve 12 will be moved axially to engage the ciutch teeth 7 and 8 and present the pinion 9 to the gear. If the teeth of the pinion do not collide with the teeth of the gear the axial movement of the pinion is continued until itch-gages the abutment 22. The movement or the lever 16 is continued until it closes the switch 23 to energize the motor 1, in which case the finger 20 and pin 18 will be clearof the lug 19*. the pinion collide with the gear teeth, the axial movement of the pinion and clutch member 6 is stopped and the pin 18 slides along the cam face 19 to turn the outer sleeve 12 and thus the pinion while its teeth are in contact with the gear teeth. 1f the pinion meshes with the gear while the lug 19 is engaged by the pin 1t and finger 20, the frictional engagentuen't of these parts will cause the pinion to be moved fully into mesh with the gear. moves out of engagement with lug 19 the pin 18 will engage the cam face 28 to fully mesh the pinion. If the turning of the pinion is abnormally resisted, as in a'corner jam, the clutch teeth 7 and8 will permit the outer sleeve 12 to turn The cam faces 29 and 29 If meshing occurs as finger 20 W Add sufficiently to allow pin' 18 to move'off cam face 19 and engage cam face'28. L'Thesprin'g may becompressed during the'movement of the pin 18 along the cam face-19 so that the cam face 28 will be forced against the pin when the latter disengagesthe face 19. This will tend to loosen the pinion teeth from the gear teeth, and thus assist the meshing of the pinion; If .the pinion teethare still abutting the gear teeth or are locked in a corner jam therewith, the pin 18 I will ride over the cam face'28 toreverse the direction of rotation of the pinion, and thus .clear its teeth to permitthepin 18 to move the outer sleeve axially. As the spring 15 is compressed during this reverse -movement of the pinion it tends to. move the pinion into mesh with the gear immediately registration is effected. When the pinion is meshed and the motor 1 energized, the outer sleeve 12 is rotated,

by means of thedrag connection 5,'inner sleeve 3' and pin and slot connection 14,v to engage the V cam face 24 with the pin 18 so that the outer 35 in the outer sleeve 12.

sleeve 12 will be returned to its initial'position with the inner sleeve 3 extendingtherefrom for engagement by the pinion when the engine is started. If pin 18 be engaged with cam fa'ce'28 when-motor lis energized,:the outer'sleeve 12 will be turned, by the pinion 9 and the clutch teeth 7, 8, to move-the face 28 out of engagement with the pin and to move the return cam face 24 into engagement therewith. If the lever 16 be operated to mesh the pinion while the shaft 2 is spinning, the outer sleeve 12 will turn with the shaft to maintain the return cam face 24 in engagement with the pin 18 whereby the finger 20 will be preventedlfrom engaging the lug 19 to move the sleeve 12 axially. Y

Any suitable device such as an arm 32 movable with the lever 16 may be employed to prevent the pinion 9 from contacting accidentally with the gear 21'while it is running. w i

1 In Figs. 12 and 13 we show a slightly modified outer member which is formed in two sleeve parts, 12and 33. The intermediate sleeve33 is provided with projections 34 received in slots A clutch member 6 disposed on the inner sleeve 3 is provided with laterally directed clutch teeth 7 for engagement with similarly shaped teeth 8 formed on the ends of the teeth of a pinion 9. A spring 15 engages a collar 13 and the intermediate sleeve 33 to tend to maintain the latter and the When the pin 18 is moved outof engagement with the came face 19 it engages an inclined face 30 on the outer sleeve 12 which face normally coversthe cam face 28.

If the pinion teeth be partly in mesh with the gear teeth or in alinement with the spaces be-- tween the latterythepressure of the pin against the face 30 will move the outer sleeve and thus the intermediate sleeve and the clutch member to mesh the pinion. 7. Should the pinion teeth be abutting the gear teeth when the pin 18 engages the face 30 the pin will move the outer sleeve relative to the intermediate sleeve 33 and clutch member 6 to present the cam face 28 to the pin whereupon thesleeves and clutch teeth 7, 8 and thus the pinion will be turned in a direction of rotation opposite that imparted thereto by the engagement of the pin and cam face 19. If the pinion teeth are brought into meshing relationship with the gear teeth during this reverse turning movementthereof, the spring 15 will move the intermediate sleeve and clutch member to their normal positions relative to the outer sleeve so that when the starting motor is energized the cam face 28 is out of the path of the pin while the outer sleeve 12 is being turned to engage its return cam face 24 with the pin.

. t. will be noted that one end of the face 30 projects beyond the'end of the cam face 28 for engagement by the pin 18 if the pinion is not meshed. when the pin moves past the end of the cam face 23. During these rotary movements the outer sleeve 12 has been moved relative to theinner sleeve 3 so that the pin or key of the pin and slot connection 14 has reached the outer end of the slot whereby any further axial movement of the outer sleeve is prevented by the pinion and inner sleeve and thus the lever 16 is prevented from closing the switch 23.

In Figs. 14 and 15 a further modified form of 195 our starter is shown, in which the pin 18 must engage a reverse cam face 28 to reverse the direction of rotation of the outer sleeve 12 before the pinion 9 can be meshed with the gear. A converse arrangement of the pin 18, spring finger 20, cam face 19 and lug 19 shown in Figs. 1 to 11 is shown in Figs. 14 and 15 in which the pin 18 and finger 20 are passed between the cam face 19 and lug 19 instead of being passed along the opposite sides of the latter. To ensure the pin 18 being clear of the reverse cam face 28 before the starter motor can be energized, we provide the outer sleeve 12 with a lip 36 adapted to engage an abutment 37 which limits the axial movement of the outer sleeve. With this arrangement, if the pinion be meshed while the pin and finger are engaged with the cam face 19 and lug 19, the pinion and the sleeve 12 will be moved along the shaft until the lip engages the abutment 37. It will then be necessary to continue the movement of the lever 16 relative to the sleeve to move the pin 18 past the reverse cam face 28 before the switch can be closed. During this operation the pin l8 does not engage the switch protection shoulder 30 so that member 12i is free to be rotated by the hereinbefore described drag connection (not shown in Figs. 14 and 15) when the starter motor is energized.

Of course the engagement of the lip 36 with the abutment 3'7 limits the axial movement of the sleeve 12 whether the pinion be meshed with its gear while the pin 18 and finger 20 be engaged with the cam face 19 and lug 19 as above described, or while the pinv 18 be engaged with the reverse cam face 28 or whether the pinion is not meshed. In the last mentioned case the pin 18 comes to rest against the switch protection shoulder 30 and thelever 16 is prevented from closing the switch 23 Y 145 Figs. 16 and 17 disclosea still further modification in which the pin 18 is adapted to engage a lug 38 formed on an intermediate sleeve 39 which is'slidably mounted on the inner sleeve 3 The outer sleeve 12 is provided with cam faces 19 and 24 and opening 29 and a shoulder 30 The lug 38 projects radially'towards'the outer member sleeve, is arranged at an angle to'the axis thereof and is positioned, by means of a pin 40 and an inclined slot41, for engagement by the pin 18 as it moves along the cam face 19 The pin 40is secured to the intermediate sleeve 39 and the inclined slot 41 is formed in the outer sleeve 12 whe'rebya relative axial movement of thesleeves will position the lug 38 beyond the cam face 19 so thatth'ey will serve to reverse the'direction of rotation of the sleeve 12 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 17. A collar 13 supports one end of the sleevelZ the other end of whichissupported by the clutch "member 8 which is provided with a conical clutch surface '7 adapted to frictionally engage acorresponding surface 8 which may be formed on theteeth of the pinion This conical. type of clutch has an advantage over the heroin-.

before described toothed clutches in that the conical clutch will set immediately its parts are engaged whereas there is apossibility of rotary movement being lost in the setting of the toothedclutches. The axial movement of the sleeve-12 is limited by the engagement of a lip'36 thereon and an abutment37 'to ensure the pin 18 being clear of the lug 38 when the starter motor: is energized. A switch protection shoulder is adapted to engage thepin 18 to prevent the manually operable lever from closing the switch should the double rotation of the pinion fail to mesh it with the gear. As in themodification shown in Figs. 14 and 15, theswitch protection shoulder 30 'v is not reached by the pin 18 when the pinionis meshed with the gear and the lip 35 is engaged with the abutment 37 meshing positionrelative to the teeth on the flywheel gear 2l the whole assembly by means of the intermediate sleeve 39 and spring 15 is moved to the left until the pinion 9 is properly meshed with the gear. If the pinion teeth abut those of the gear the motion of the pinion and'the outer sleeve 12 to the left is stopped and further movementbf .pin 18-, along the cam face 19 will rotate the sleeve 12 and thus the pinion 9 in a downward 'directionof rotation in Fig. 17. The angle of the slot il is such. that the lug 38 is maintained in engagement with 18 as it travels along the cam face 19 This furtherrnovement'of the pin 18 moves the sleeve 39 axially relative to the sleeve. 12 against the compression of the spring l5 so that the latter will cause the pinionto jump into engagement with the gear if the pinion teeth clear the gear teeth during the said rotarymovement of the pinion. i

If the rotation of the pinion in the direction of rotation above referred to is. prevented by a corner jam of the pinion and gear teeth, the continued movement of the pin 18 along the cam face 19 will rotate the sleeve 12 without'turning the pinion, the clutch faces 7 and 8 being adapted to slip to permit such rotation of the said sleeve relative to the pinion; andwill move the lug 38 beyond the cam face 19 as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 17. In this .position'the lug 38 has been moved to permit the pin 13 to move between the lug an'd'the adjacent end of the cain'face 19 and this position ofthe lug 38 is determinedby the engagement of the end of the intermediate sleeve 39 with the clutch member 6 As any further axial movement of the big 38 is thus prevented and as the direction of inclination of the face of the lug engaged by the pin is opposite that of the cam face 19 a further movementof the pin will cause it to slide along the inclined face of the lug and turn the intermediate sleeve 39 and thus the outer sleeve 12 and the pinion 9 in anupward direction of rotation inFig. 1'? to bring'the pinion to proper meshing positionand the spring will cause its engagement with the gear as above set forth. The pin 18 iscarried'by a lever (not shown) which is adapted to-close the pin 18 to prevent the s'witchfrom being closed by further movement of the lever (corresponding to the lever 16 in Figs. 1 to 11; 16 in Figs. 12, 13;

and l6 in Figs. 14, 15).

Assuming the pinion and gear have been meshed and the pin 18 has been moved past the lug 38, the spring 15' is then free to expand the sleeves 12 and 39 which relieves the spring pressure on the clutch and the lever carrying the said pin is free to close the motor switch. Immediately the armature shaft 2 is driven, the inner sleeve 3 is frictionally driven to drive the collar l3 and thus the sleeve 12 as hereinbefore described in connection with the corresponding parts 3,. 13 and 12 in Figs. 1 to 11 and thus the return cam face 24 is brought into engagement with the pin 18 to Worm the sleeve assembly away fromthe pinion. During this movement one end of the anti-bounce sleeve 3 is left behind the' adjacent end of the outer sleeve 12 to absorb the momenturn of thepinion when it is demeshed by the gear. F

It will be noted in all these modifications'that the chief features whereby the pinion maybe turned first in one direction and then in the other during a continued movement of the lever, the anti-bounce device and the switch protection shoulder areoominon to all. stood that the toothed clutches shown in most-oi. the starters may be substituted by thecone clutch shown in Fig. 16 and vice versa, and that each; of

these clutches permits relative inovenient'between the'pinion and the manually operable outer sleeve to enable thelatter to turn the pinion in both directions of rotation if necessary. 1

What we claim as our invention is:

1. In a mechanism for connecting a rotatable device with a gear, the combination with a pinion slidably connected withsaid device and adapted to be shifted into engagement with the gear, of manually operable means for shifting said pinion into engagement with the gear, said inanual means including provisions which operate in casev the pinion collides with the gear to produce rotation of said pinion in one direction of rotation while said pinion is pressed against the gear whereby said pinion may be brought into enmeshing relation with the gear, the said manual t will be under means also including provisions which operate posite to the first mentioned-direction of rotation whereby said pinion will be moved to re lease thecorner jam. I 2."An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft having a starter pinion adapted to be driven thereby and moved endwise into mesh with a gear of an engine tobe started; and-pinion meshing. means for axially 'moving the pinion and for rotating it first in one direction of rotation in case the pinion collides with the gear and then in the opposite direction in case the pinion is prevented from turning in the first direction of rotation. I

v 3. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft having a starter pinion adapted to be driven thereby andmoved endwise intomesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a sleeve slidable and rotatable relative to the shaft and having a drive connection with the pinion; and means for axially moving the sleeve and for rotating the same first in one direction of rotation and then in the opposite direction to move the pinion into mesh with the gear.

- 4. In a mechanism for connecting arotatable.

device with a gear, the combination with a shaft I driven by said device and a pinion splined theredevice with a gear, the combination with a shaft driven by said device and a pinion splined thereto and shiftable into engagement with said gear, of pinion meshing means comprising a rotatable sleeve slidable relative to said shaft; a clutch connecting said member and pinion; and a manually operable member, the sleeve having cam faces inclined in opposite directions for engagement with the manual member to move the sleeve axially and rotarily first in one direction of rotation and then in the other direction during one movement of the manual member, the first turning movement taking place in case the pinion collides with the gear and they second turning movement taking place in case the first turning movement of the pinion be checked. I

6. In a mechanism forconnecting arotatable device with a gear, the combination with a pinion slidably connectedwith said device and adapted to be shifted into engagement with the gear,

of manually operable means for shifting said pin- .ion into engagement withthe gear, said manual s the opposite direction of rotation while the pinsions operating to turn the pinion in case the ion is pressed against the gear, the first provipinion teeth abut those of the gear and the second provisions operating 'to turn the pinion in a reverse directionin case the first rotation thereof has not meshed the pinion. '7. An engine starter comprising a shaft connected with a starter motor and having a starter pinion adapted to bedriven thereby and moved endwise into mesh with a gear. of an engine .to be started; pinionmeshing means comprising a rotatable sleeveslidable relative to said shaft and having a disengageable drive connection with the pinion; a manually operable member; c amming means between the said members to move the rotatable sleeve axially and to rotate it first in one directionof rotation and then in the other direction during'one continuous movement of the manually operable member; a switch adapted to be closed by the manually operable member to energize the motor when the pinion is meshed with the gear; and means for limiting the relative movement of the member and pinion during the meshing of the latter to prevent the member from closing the switch before the pinion is meshed.

8. An engine starter comprising a shaft conneoted. with a starter motor and having a starter pinion adapted to be driven thereby and moved endwise into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; pinion meshing means comprising a rotatable sleeve slidable relative to said shaft and having a disengageable drive connection with the pinionga manually operable member, the sleeve having provisions for engagement by the manually operable member to axially move the sleeve and present the pinion to the gear and to'rotate the sleeve first ;in one direction of rotation and then in the other direction; and means tending to rotate the sleeve when the shaft is rotating, the sleeve also. having provisions for engagement by the manually operable member to return the sleeve to its initial position when the starter motor is energized 9.'An engine startercomprising a shaftconnected witha starter motor and having. a starter pinion adapted to be driven thereby and moved endwise into mesh with'a gear of anengine to be started; pinion meshing means comprising a rotatable sleeve slidable relative to said shaft and having a disengageable drive connection with the pinion; a manually operable member, the sleeve having provisions for engagement by the manually operable member whereby the sleeve is moved axially to present the pinion tothe gear and is rotated first in one direction of rotation and then in the other direction; means tending to rotate the sleeve when the shaft is rotating, the sleeve also having provisions engageable by the manually operable member to return the sleeve to its initial position when the starter motor is energized; a switch adapted to be closed by the manually operable member to energize the motor when the pinion is meshed with the gear; and means for limiting the relative movement of the member and pinion duringv the meshing of the latter to prevent the member. from closing the switch before the pinion is meshed-and to position the member for engagement by the second mentioned provisions when the switch is closed.

10. An engine starter comprising a shaft connected with a starter motor and having'a starter pinion adapted to be driven thereby and moved endwise into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; pinion meshing means comprising a rotatable sleeve slidable relative to said shaft and having a disengageable drive connection with the pinion; a manually operable member; releasable yielding means between the manually operable member-and the rotatable member for axially moving the latter to present the pinion to the gear, the sleeve having provisions for engagement by the manually operable member whereby the sleeve is rotated in case the pinion teeth collide with the gear teeth, the. yielding means being adapted to maintain the pinion in contact with the gear during the rotary movement of the pinion; a switch adapted to be closed by the manually operable member to energize the starter motor; means for limiting the movement of the manually operable member'towards the switch if the pinion be not meshed with the gear; and

means for limiting thei'axial movement of the sleeve during the meshing of the pinion-to ensure therelease of the yielding means before the switch is closed.

l1. Anengine starter comprising a shaft connected with a starter motor and having a starter pinion adapted to be driven therebyand shiftable longitudinally thereof to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; pinion meshing means comprising a rotatable sleeve slidable relative to said shaft for. shifting the pinion axially and rotarily, the sleeve having a surface inclined to the'axis thereof; and a manually operable member having provisions adapted to be vengagedwith the inclined surface to cause the sleeve and thus thepinion to be turned, the manually operable member having separate provisions for engaging the sleeve to cause an axial movement thereof .to'present the pinion to the gear. 1 12. An engine startercomprising a shaft connected with a starter motor having a starter nected with a starter motor and having a starterpinion adapted to be driven thereby and moved endwise into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a rotatable sleeve slidable relative to said shaft and provided witha lug inclined to the axis of the sleeve; a drive connection between the sleeve and the pinion; and manually operable means including provisions for frictional engagement with both sides of the lug to move the sleeve axially and present the pinion to the gear.

14. An engine starter comprising a shaft connected with a starter motor and having a starter pinion adapted to be driven thereby and moved endwise into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a rotatable sleeve slidable relative to said shaft and provided with a lug inclined to the axis of the sleeve; adrive connection between the sleeve and the pinion; and manually operable means including a pin for engaging one side of the lug and a spring ringer for engaging the other side'thereof to move the sleeve axially and rotarily'andthus the pinion axially and, in case of gear tooth abutment, rotarily while the pinion is held by the pin and finger in contact with the endwise into mesh with a gear-of an engine to be started; a rotatable sleeve slidable relative to said shaft and provided with a lug inclined to the axis of the sleeve; a'drive connection between the sleeve and the pinion; manually operable means including a pin for engagingv one side of the lug and a spring finger for engaging the other out of position for operative engagement by the meshed with the gear.

pin-and finger should the manually operable member be actuated when the shaft is rotating.

'.16..An engine starter comprising a shaft connected with a starter motor and having a starter pinion adapted to bedriven thereby and movable .endwiseinto mesh'with a gear of anengine to be started; pinion meshing means comprising a rotatablesleeve slidable relative to said shaft and having a disengageable driving connection with the pinion; a lug on the sleeve inclined to the axis thereof; a manually operable member adapted toengage one side'of the lug to cause a rotary movement of the sleeve; means carried by the manual member forfrictionally engaging the other side of thelug' to move the sleeve axially, the sleeve having provisions for engagement by the manual member to rotate the sleeve in a direction of rotation opposite to that of its first -mentioned rotary movement; means tending to rotate the sleeve when the shaft is rotating, the V sleeve also having provisions for engagement by the manual member to return the sleeve to its initial position when the starter motor is energized; aswitoh adapted to be closed by the manually operable memberto energize the motor when the pinion is meshed with" the gear; and means for limiting-the axial movement of the sleeve during the meshing of the pinion to ensure the friction means will be clear of the lug before the manually operable member closes the switch and to ensure the'manually operable member being positioned for engagement by the second mentioned provisions when the switchis closed.

17. An-engine. starter'comprising a motor having a r rotatable shaft connected therewith; a starter pinion adapted to be'driven by the shaft and moved endwise thereon into mesh'with a' gear ofithe engine to be started; pinion meshing means comprising a sleeve slidable and rotatable relative to theshaf-t and having a disengageable drive connection with the pinion; and manually operable means having operative engagement with the sleeve to mesh the pinion with the gear, the sleeve having provisions to free the said operative engagement between it and the manually operable means should the pinion contact with the gear while the-latter is moving in. either direction of rotation.- l V 18. An engine starter comprising a motor having a rotatable shaft V connected therewith; a

starter pinion adapted to be driven by the shaft and moved endwise into mesh with a gear of the engine tobe started; pinion meshing meanscomprising a sleeve slidable and rotatable relative to the shaftand having a disengageable drive connection with the pinion; manually operable means includingi'apin and slot'connection with the sleeve'for moving it to mesh the pinion with the gear, the sleeve havingan opening communieating with the slottopermit the sleeve to r0- tate backwardly relativeto the pin should the pinion contact with the gear while the latter is moving in a backward direction; and a switch closable by the manually operable means for energiz'ing .the starter motor when'the pinion is 19 An engine starter comprising a motor'having arotatable shaft connected therewith; a starter pinion adapted to be driven by the shaft and movedendwise thereon into mesh with a gear of the engine'to be started; a sleeve slida ble and rotatable relative to the shaft and having a disengageable drive connection with the pinion; and manually operablemeans having operative engagement with the sleeve to mesh the pinion; with the gear, the sleeveihaving provisions to free the said operative engagement between it and the manually operable means should the.

pinion contact with the gear while the latter is moving in a backward direction. ,I 20. An engine startercomprising started; a rotatable sleeve; slidable relative to said shaft and having a disengage'ablecdrive connection with the pinion;. a switch connected with the starter motor;- manualmeans forxactuating' the sleeve to shift therpinion into mesh with the gear and for operating the switch to energize the motor when the pinion is'meshed; with the gear; means tendingto' rotate thesleeve when the shaft is rotating; and camm'in gprovisions between the sleeveand the manual means to return the sleeve to its initial position should the sleeve be given a backward rotary movement-followed by a forward rotary movement. I r

21. Anengine starter comprising amotor having aarotatable shaft connected therewith; a starter pinion adapted to be driven by the shaft and moved endwisethereon into; mesh with a 'gear of the engine tobe started; a'slee've slidpinion is meshed with the gear; and means tending to rotate the sleeve when the shaft isrotating, the sleeve being provided with asecond slot having a face thereof inclined to the .axisof the sleeve to engage the pin and return the sleeve to its initial position should-the pinion and sleeve be given a backwardrotarymovement by to mesh the pinion with the-gear; .a switch op-- erable by the manuallyoperable means for en-V the gear followed by a forward rotary movement of the sleeve by the shaft. i i

22, An engine starter comprisingamotorhaving a rotatable shaft connected therewith; a starter pinion adapted to be driven by the shaft andmoved endwise into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started; a sleeve sli'dablef'and rotatable relativeto the shaft andihaving a disengageable drive connection with the pinion; manually operable means including a .pin and slot connection "with the sleeve for movingit ergizing the starter motor when the pinion is meshedwith'the gear; and means tending to rotate the sleeve when the shaft is rotating, the sleeve beingprovided witha second slot having ment by the shaft.

- 23. An engine starter comprising a; rotatableshaft having a pinion threaded thereon-"for rotary movement therewith and for longitudinal movement thereof to mesh with a gear ofthe engine to bestarted; a slidablemember;-'means for moving the member to mesh the piniom and an anti-bounce device having relative axial mbv nijwi h; e mmb r-jtwh yone end, of

a shaft con-i nected with a starter. motor and having arstarter' pinion "adapted'to hedriven thereby and m'overl' endwise into mesh with a gear ofan enginetobe the device will be positioned behind-the adjacent end' of. the member during the" return movement of the latter so that the device will be engaged by the pinion to absorb its momentumwhen it is de-meshed by the gear.

w 24; An engine starter. comprising a rotatable shaft having a pinion threaded thereon for rotary movement therewith and for longitudinal movement thereof tomesh with a gear of the engine to be started, the threaded pinion being automatically de-meshed by the gear when the engineis started; a slidable outer sleeve; an antibounce device comprising an inner sleeve; means tending to rotate the inner sleeve with the shaft;

'apin and connection between the inner and outer sleeves; manually operable means for moving the outer sleeve to mesh the pinion, the outer sleeve having provisions engageable by the manually operable means to return the outer sleeve when the shaft is rotated, the inner sleeve being -'moved axially with the outer sleeve when the latter is moved to mesh the pinion, the pinand slot connection being adapted to permit a relative axial movement of the inner and outer sleeves during the return movement of the sleeves to position the inner sleeve for engagement by the pinion to absorb its momentum when it is de-meshed by the gear.

25. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft having a pinion threaded thereon for rotary movement therewith and for longitudinal gageable by the manually operable means to return the outer sleeve when the shaft is rotated, the inner sleeve being moved axially with the outer sleeve when the latter is moved to mesh the pinion," the pin and slotconnection being adapted to cause a relative axial movementof the inner and outer sleeves during the return movement of the'sleeves to position the inner sleevefcr engagement by the pinion to absorb its momentum when it is de-meslied by the gear; and means for limiting the return rnovement of the sleeves, the inner sleeve being positioned by the limiting means to limit the return movement of the pinion to prevent the engagement of'the clutch while'the parts are v in their normal or initial positions. two faces thereof inclined to the axis off'th'e 26; An engine'starter comprising a shaft connectedwith a starter motor and having a starter pinion threaded thereon for rotary movement therewith and for'longitudinal movement thereof to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a clutch member disposed on the shaft and having a=disengageable drive connection with the pinion; a: sleeve disposed on the clutch member and having a rotary drive connection therewith; a spring tending to move the clutch member axially with the sleeve; a manually operable member; camming means between the manually onerable member and the sleeve to move the latter ially and to rotate it; a switch closable by the manually operable member for energizing the motor; and means for limiting the movement offthe manually opcrablemember to prevent the closing of the switch until the pinion is meshed with the gear.

27. An engine starter comprising a shaft connected with a starter motor and having a starter pinion threaded thereon for rotary movement therewith and for longitudinal movement thereof to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a clutch member disposed on the shaft and having a disengageable drive connection with the pinion; a sleeve disposed on the clutch member and having a rotary drive connection therewith; a spring tending to inove the clutch member axially with the sleeve; a manually operable member, the sleeve having provisions for engagement by the manually operable member whereby the sleeveis moved axially to present the pinion to the gear and is rotated first in one direction of rotation and then in the other direction; a switch closable by the manually operable; member for energizing themotor; means tending to rotate the sleeve with the shaft, the sleeve also having provisions engageable by the manually operable memberto return the sleeve to its initial position when the motor is energized; means'for limiting the'movenient of the manually operable member to'prevent the closing of the switch until the pinion is meshed with the gear; and means for limiting the axial move- 30, ment of the sleeve during the meshing of the pinion whereby the manual operable member will be engaged with the first mentioned provi sions to complete the rotary movement of the sleeve before it reaches its switch closing posi- 7. tion in which the manually operable member is positioned for engagement by the second mentioned provisions for returning 1e sleeve.

28. An engine starter comprising a motor having a rotatable shaft connected therewith; a starter pinion adapted to be driven by and shiftable thereon to mesh with a gear of the engine to bestarted; a sleeve slidable and rotatable relative to the shaftand having a disengageable drive connection with the pinion, the drive connection being adapted to slip if the rotation of the pinion be abnormally resisted; and manually operable means including a pin and slot connection with the sleevefor moving the pinion axially and for rotating the sleeve in one direction, the sleevehaving a second slot adapted to be engaged by the pin to rotate the sleeve in the opposite direction, the sleeve having a drag connection with the shaft and a third slot adapted to engage the pin to return the sleeve to its initial position when the shaft is rotated. I

29. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft having a starter pinion adapted to be driven thereby and moved endwise into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a manually operable member; means including provi-e sions, actuated by the member for moving the pinion into mesh with the gear and for turning the pinion in one direction of rotation to effect meshing registration with the engine gear in case of geartooth abutment, and provisions ac tuated by the member during a continuous movement thereof for turning the pinion in the opposite direction of rotation if the pinion is pre-,

vented from being turned by the first mentioned 0nd mentioned provisions.

' 30. Engine starting apparatus comprising in combination a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a pinion driven by the shaft and movable endwise anr inner sleeve disposed on the shaft and adapted to abut the pinion; an outer. sleeve disposed on p the inner sleeve; a clutch member having a rotary drive connection with the outer sleeve and being axially movable relative thereto; a spring tending to maintain the clutch memberin an extended position relative to the outer sleeve, the clutch member being adapted to engage the pinion to turn'it under normal conditions and being adapted to slip if the turning of the pinion is abnormally resisted; a lug on the outer sleeve inclined to the axis thereof; a manually operable member having a pin and spring finger for frictional engagement with the lug, the outer sleeve having a cam face inclined to the axis thereof in a direction of inclination opposite to and steeper than the lug for engagement bythe pin after the lug has been disengaged thereby; a switch clos'able by the manually operable member to energize the motor when the pinion is meshed with the gear; a pin and slot connection between the inner and outersleeves adapted to limit the axial movement towardsthe gear of the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve; and a switch protection shoulder on the outer sleeve adapted to be engaged by the pin to limit the movement of the manual member relative to the said sleeve.

31. Engine starting apparatus comprising in combination a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a pinion driven by the shaft and movable endwise into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, an inner sleeve disposed on the shaft and adapted to abut the pinion; an outer sleeve disposed on the inner sleeve; a clutch member having a rotary drive connection with the outer sleeve and being axially movable relative thereto; a spring tending to maintain the clutch member in an extended position relative to the outer sleeve, the clutch member being adapted to engage the pinion to turn it under normal conditions and being adapted to slip if the turning of the pinion is abnormally resisted; a lug on the outer sleeve inclined to the axis thereof; a manually operable member having a pin and spring finger for frictional engagement with the lug; an intermediate sleeve disposed on the inner sleeve behind the clutch member and having a pin and slot connection with the outer sleeve and being extended relative thereto by the said spring, the intermediate sleeve having a cam face inclined to the axis thereof, the outer sleeve having a cam face inclined to theaxis thereof in a direction of inclination opposite to and steeper than the lug for engagement by the pin after the lug has been disengaged thereby; a switch closable by the manually operable member to energize the motor when the pinion is meshed with the gear; a pin and slot connection between the inner and outer sleeves adapted to limit the axial movement towards the gear of the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve; a drag connection between the shaft and the inner sleeve to tend to rotate the latter when the motor is energized; a return cam face on the outer sleeve adapted to engage the pin to return the outer sleeve to its initial position when the shaft is rotated by the motor; a face on the outer sleeve having a steeper angle of inclination than the first mentioned cam face and normally adapted to overlie the latter and to be engaged by the pin onthe manual member to expose the said cam face for engagement by the said pin, the spring being adapted to return the sleeves and clutch member to their normal extended positions when the pinion teeth clear the gear teeth so that the steeply inclined faceon the outer sleeve will be moved past the pin to facilitate'the engagement of the return cam face therewith when the starter motor is energized.

32. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft having a starter pinion adapted to be driven thereby and moved endwise into mesh with a gear' of an engine to be started; a cone clutch member disposed on the shaft and adapted to engage the pinion; and means for axially moving the clutch member and for rotating the same first in one direction of rotation and then-in the opposite direction to move the pinion into mesh with the gear.

'33; An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft having a starter pinion adapted to be driven thereby and moved endwise into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started, the pinion being provided with a conical surface; aclutch member disposed on the shaft and having a conical surface for frictional engagement with the first mentioned surface; an outersleeve connected with the clutch member and provided with a slot inclined to the axis of the sleeve; a manually operable member having a pin received in the slot; an intermediate sleeve having a lug adapted to be located relative to'the slot for engagement by the pin; and a spring tending to retain the clutch member and intermediate sleeve in their extended positions.

'34..An engine startercomprising a rotatable shaft having a starter pinion adapted to be driven thereby and moved endwise into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; an outer sleeve disposed on the shaft and provided with a slot inclined to the axis thereof; a rotary drive connection between the sleeve and pinion adapted toslip if the turning movement of the pinion be abnormally resisted; a manually operable member having a pin received in the slot; an intermediate sleeve having a lug adapted to be engaged by the pin; a pin and inclined slot connection between the outer and intermediate sleeves, the inclinationof the last mentioned slot being suchthat the lug will follow the inclination of the first mentioned slot; and a spring tending to maintain the lug engaged with the manually operable pin. 1

35. A starter'constructed as set forth in claim 34 in which the lug is inclined to the axis of the'outer'sleeve in a direction opposite to that of the first mentioned slot and in which the latter communicates with an opening in the outer sleeve to provide clearance between the adjacent sides of the opening and lug for the manual pin to ride over the side of the lug and thus reverse the direction of rotation of the pinion.

36. Engine starting apparatus, comprising in combination, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a pinion driven by the shaft and movable endwise into mesh with a gear connected with the engine to be started, manually operable means" for moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and operable to rotate the pinion normally in one direction in case of gear tooth abutment, and means whereby the pinion may be rotated in a different direction while being pressed against the engine gear, in case rotation of the pinion in the first direction is abnormally resisted. 1

37. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, means for connecting the motor with a gear of an engine to'be started,

said means comprising a pinion driven by the motor and movable endwise into mesh with the engine gear and provision whereby the pinion will be automatically disconnected from the engine gear when the engine starts, and manually operable means for moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and operable to rotate the pinion normally in a certain direction in case of gear tooth abutment, and having provisions operable to rotate the pinion in a different direction, while being pressed against the engine gear, in case rotation of the pinion in the first direction is abnormally resisted, said manually operable means including an actuator, and provisions for automatically retracting the pinion moving means from the pinion before the engine starts regardless of whether the actuator has been released.

38'. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft having a pinion threaded thereon for rotary movement therewith and for longitudinal movement thereof to mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, the threaded pinion being automatically de-meshed by the gear when the engine is started; a slidable outer sleeve; an anti- 1 bounce device comprising an inner sleeve; means tending to rotate the inner sleeve with the shaft;

a pin and inclined slot connection between the inner and outer sleeves; manually operable means for moving the outer sleeve to mesh the pinion, 1 the outer sleeve having provisions engageable by the manually operable means to return the outer sleeve when the shaft is rotated, the inner sleeve being moved axially with the outer sleeve when the latter is moved to mesh the pinion, the pin 1 and inclined slot connection being adapted to cause a relative axial movement of the inner and outer sleeves during the return movement of the sleeves to position the inner sleeve for engagement by the pinion to absorb its momentum when 1 it is de-meshed by the gear.

39, An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft having a pinion threaded thereon for rotary movement therewith and for longitudinal movement thereof to mesh with a gear of the 1 engine to be started, the threaded pinion being automatically de-meshed by the gear when the engine is started; a slidable outer sleeve; a clutch connection between the outer sleeve and the pinion an anti-bounce device comprising an inner 1 sleeve having a drag connection with the shaft; a pin and inclined slot connection between the outer and inner sleeves; manually operable means for moving the outer sleeve to mesh the pinion, the outer sleeve having provisions engageable by 1 the manually operable means to return the outer sleeve when the shaft is rotated, the inner sleeve being moved axially with the outer sleeve when the latter is moved to mesh the pinion, the pin and inclined slot connection being adapted to 1 cause a relative axial movement of the inner and outer sleeves during the return movement of the sleeves to position the inner sleeve for engagement by the pinion to absorb its momentum when it is de-meshed by the gear; and 1 means for limiting the return movement of the sleeves, the inner sleeve being positioned by the limiting means to limit the return movement of the pinion to prevent the engagement of the clutch while the parts are in their normal or initial positions.

MAUNSELL B. JACKSON. KENNETH M. CLIPSHAM. 

